Project Manager-Food Systems and Economic Self-Reliance

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian organization that provides assistance and protection to refugees and displaced persons. Established in 1956, DRC operates in multiple countries around the world, focusing on providing support in areas such as security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, livelihoods, and economic self-reliance. The organization is committed to promoting the rights and well-being of refugees and host communities, ensuring that they have access to essential services and opportunities for sustainable development. DRC employs thousands of staff globally and collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and community organizations, to implement its programs effectively.

Job Overview:
The Project Manager for Food Systems and Economic Self-Reliance will play a crucial role in leading and managing DRC's project aimed at enhancing nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition security and economic self-reliance among refugees and host communities in West Nile, Uganda. This position requires a strong focus on climate-resilient and inclusive market-oriented food systems. The Project Manager will be responsible for providing technical leadership, ensuring high-quality project delivery, and managing the overall project cycle. This includes overseeing project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, as well as ensuring compliance with donor requirements and DRC policies. The role also involves engaging with various stakeholders, including government authorities, private-sector actors, and community structures, to ensure effective project delivery and sustainability. The Project Manager will lead a multidisciplinary team and will be expected to foster collaboration and innovation within the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Manager will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Leading project cycle management and ensuring timely and quality implementation of project activities in accordance with the approved project design and donor requirements.
• Developing and reviewing project implementation plans, spending plans, and procurement plans, ensuring alignment with agricultural seasons and project priorities.
• Monitoring project progress against agreed outputs and outcomes, and leading corrective actions when necessary.
• Overseeing project budget performance and ensuring effective financial management.
• Ensuring timely procurement of agricultural inputs and addressing implementation bottlenecks.
• Maintaining oversight of project risks and implementing appropriate mitigation measures.
• Preparing and submitting high-quality internal and donor reports.
• Providing technical leadership across food systems and economic self-reliance interventions, ensuring quality assurance and sustainability.
• Leading coordination with government authorities and other stakeholders to promote effective project delivery. 1
• Managing a multidisciplinary project team, providing direction, supervision, and capacity development. 1
• Promoting accountability and learning through effective monitoring and evaluation processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Food Security, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, or a related field. They should have demonstrated experience in managing complex projects, including planning, budgeting, implementation oversight, and donor reporting. A strong understanding of climate-resilient agriculture and market-oriented livelihoods programming is essential, along with experience in managing multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should also have a solid grasp of project cycle management and financial management principles, as well as the ability to integrate gender and inclusion into program implementation. Strong leadership, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills are required, along with full professional proficiency in English.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Food Security, or Natural Resource Management. A Master’s degree in a related field is desirable and may enhance a candidate's qualifications. Professional training or certification in project/programme management or climate-smart agriculture is also beneficial.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in food security, agriculture, livelihoods, or related programming, with at least 3 years in project management or technical leadership roles. Candidates should have experience working in refugee-hosting or displacement-affected settings, managing complex projects, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.

Languages:
Full professional proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of local languages spoken in the project locations is considered an asset and may enhance communication with community members.

Additional Notes:
The contract length for this position is 12 months, with a designated duty station in Arua, Uganda. The start date is anticipated to be in October 202

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees. Applicants are required to submit a cover letter and an updated CV in English, with a maximum length of four pages. Applications sent via email will not be considered. The closing date for applications is 14th September 202
• DRC emphasizes a merit-based recruitment process and does not solicit money for any part of its recruitment process.